Device for controlling the delivery of compressed air



Aug, 19, 1930. T. McLAUGHLlN ET AL DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE DELIVERYOF COMPRESSED AIR 2 Sheets$heet 1 Filed Sept. 16, 1929 ,feri @32 0KOWWMtkEOu F: :Lfvli I 1::

HQNE rllfi Aug. 19, 1930. I Mc H f ET AL DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THEDELIVERY OF COMPRESSED AIR Fil ed Sept. 15, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 a w4 9 w 2 E, 2 v

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INVENTORJ/ (221%! fan Tilamasflfza y/w R J5 3 Patented Aug. 19, 1930THOMASMcLAUGHLIN, or JOPLIN, AND PERRY :r. STONE, or cHirwooD, MISSOURI,As

i CE SIGN OBS F TWENTY-SIX AND TWQ-THIBDS PER CENT TO 0. H. GENTRY, SR.I

nnvrcr: FOR CONTROLLING THE DELIVERY or COMPRESSED AIR 7 Applicationfiled September 16, 1929. Serial No. 393,009.

This invention relates to a controlling device for the application ofcompressed air for driving purposes, and has for its object to provide,in a manner as hereinafter set forth,

a device of the class referred to for regulating and equalizing the airpressure to be delivered for drivingair operated devices or machines. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide, in amanner ashereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to includingauto-,

vide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a

a device of the class referred to including a palr of compressed a1rreceivers each having operating therein a compressed air,fluid operateddispellin element, and with the device further inclu ingmeans to providefor the alternate operation of said elements for alternately expellingthe air from the receivers for thepurpose of driving air operateddevices or machines. 1

Further objects of the invention are to pro vide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to which iscomparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong,durable, thoroughly eflicient in its use, readily assembled and.comparatively inexpensive to set up.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts ashereinafter more specifically de scribed, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscanbe resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views Figure l is a top plan, partly insection of a controlling device in accordance with this invention andfor the purpose set forth.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22, Figure 1.

Figure 3 isa sectional plan of the controlling valve mechanism.

Figure Us a section on line 4-4:, Figure 1.

The device includes a pair of compressed air receivers arrangedinparallel spaced relation 1 and generally indicated at 1, 2,' and a pairof liquid containers arranged in parallel spaced relation and referredto generally at 3, 4. The receivers and containers are of cylindri- Vcalform and the container 3 is arranged in lengthwise alignment withrespect to the receiver l'andspaced therefrom; T The container 4 isarranged in lengthwise alignment with respect to the container 2 andspaced therefrom. The arrangement of the receivers With respect to thecontainers is that the inner ends of the receivers oppose in spacedrelation the inner ends of the containers.

The device further includes an air compressor 7 and a motor or engine 7for driva rotatable shaft 10 operated thereby. The

discharge pipes 8, 9 are arranged between the receivers 1, 2 whereas theshaft 10 is positioned over a liquid reservoir 5 which is arranged inalignment with the combined compressing means and engine 7 and furtherpositioned in parallel spaced relation with respect to the containers 3,4..

Operating in the receiver 1 and container 3 is a piston rod 11 providedat one end with a piston head 12 and at its other end with a piston head13. The head 12 operates in the receiver 1 and-the head 13 in thecontainer 3. Suitable packing-means, as indicated at 14 is provided atthe inner ends of the receiver and container 1, 3 respectively- Thepacking means is employed for the piston rod 11.

Operating in the receiver 2 and container 4 is a piston rod 15 providedat one end with a piston head 16 and at its other end with a piston'head17. The head 16 operates in the receiver 1 and the head 17 in thecontainer 4.

A suitable packing means, for the piston rod 15 is provided at the innerends of the re- -posed axially of the outer ends of the re ceiversl, 2.The openings21, 23 are posit'ioned in close proximity to the innersidesof the receivers 1, 2.

Arranged adjacent the outer ends of the receivers 1, 2 as wellasarranged in spaced relation ;with respect thereto is a tank 24 for thestorage of surplus air to be used in starting. The air is supplied totank 24 from the ireceivers 1,21and also from the delivery pipe to bepresently referred to. Leadingfrom the vreceiver '1 to the tank 24 is acompressed air conducting pipe 25 provided with a cutoff 26 for-closingtank 24 to receiver 1 during the operation of the device. The pipe 25 issecured in the opening 20. Leading from the receiver 2-to the tank 24 isa compressed air conductin i e 27 rovided with a cuta P P P off 28 forclosing tank 24to receiver 2 during theoperation of the device. The pipe27 isiconnectedin the opening 22.

The device further includes a controlling -1 valve mechanism referred togenerally at 29 and leading therefrom from the receiver 1 pie a-combinedintake and discharge pipe 30 Leadlng from the rep for compressed air.

ceiver 2 to the controlling valve mechanism 29 is a combined compressedair intake and discharge pipe 31. The discharge pipe 8 from thecompressor opens into the control- "ling valve mechanism :29. Thecompressed air dlscharge pipe from the compressor.

opens into the controlling valve mechanism 29. Y o

Opening into the outer end of the con .tainer 3 is a pipe 32 which leadsfrom a pump 33 and the latter acts to create pressure on the :oil withinthe container 3.

xOpening into. the outer end of the container 4 is a pipe 34 which leadsfrom a pump 35 and the latter acts to create pressure on the oil withinthe container 4. 'Extending ttromthe reservoir 5 to the container 3 is apipe 36-for supplying Oll from the reservoir 5 to the container '3, andsaid pipe 36 also acts as a means for conducting oil from the container3 to the reservoir 5. Opening into "the container 4, at the-outer endthereof is ;a pipe37 which leads from the reservoir 5. The pipe 37functions to supply oil to the co1rtainer4and to .conduct the oil, fromthe container 4 to the reservoir 5.

Intenposedin pipe 36 is a valve 38 having its stem formed witha'eranknrm 39. Interposed in the pipe37 is a valve 40 having its stemprovided with a crank arm 41.

The piston rods for the pumps 33, 34 project therefrom as at 42, 43respectively, and which are alternately operated by an eccentric 44carried by the shaft 10.

The controlling valve mechanism 29 ineludes an operating, lever 45therefor and which is fixed at its center to the stem 46 of the valvularelement or the mechanism 29. Connected to one end of the lever 45 is oneend of a piston rod 47 and connected to the other end of the lever 45 isone end of a piston rod 48. Fixed to the rod 47 is the angleshaped end49 of an operating'rod 50 for the crank arm 39. Fixed to the piston rod48 is an angle-shaped end'51 of an operating rod '52 for the crank arm41.

The piston rods 47, 48 carry piston heads 53, 54 respectively, whichoperate in fluid containing cylinders 55, 56 respectively,co1nmunicating with the reservoir 5 as at 57, 58

respectively. Leading from the receivers 3, 4 to.the cylinders 55, 56are pipes 59, 60 respectively, for establishing communication be- ;tweenthe containers 3, 4' and the cylinders The controlling valve mechanism29 includes a housing6l provided with openings 62,63, 64 and 65. Thehousing 61 provides a chamber 66 for the valvular element 67 of themechanism. Theelement 67 is formed with a pair of diametricallyextending ports 68, 69 wlrich intersecteach other at the center, as at70. The element 67 is furthermore formed with a pair of peripheralpockets 71, 72. The

housing 61 is furthermore provided with a T pair of openings 73, 74.Theport 68 is enlarged at oneend as at 75 and the port 69 is enlarged.at one end as at 76.

Secured in the openings 62, 64 of the housing 61 are the compressedairdischarge pipes 8, 9,; respectively which lead from the compressor.Secured in the openings 63, are the pipes30, 31 respectively which leadfrom the receivers l, .2.

i The delivery pipefor compressed air is ini 1 dicated at 77 and has ayoke-shapcd end 7 8 and with the arms of the latter indicated at 79, 80which are secured in the openings 73, 74 respectively.

The. controllin valve mechanism-is so arranged that when the valvularelement is shifted in a clock-wise direction the pipe 30 and arm willopen into the pocket 71 and the pipe 31 will be closed to the pocket 72.

When element 67 is shifted in an anti-clocklw'ise direction the pipe 31and arm 69 will register with pocket '4' 2 and the pipe 30 will beclosed to pocket 71. When element 67 is shifted in a clockwise directionthe pipe 31 will communicate with ports 68, 69 and port-S 68, 69 willcommunicate with pipes 8, 9.

When the element 67 is shifted in an anticlockiwise direction the ports68, '69 will register with pipe 30 .and ports 68, 69 will also 7register with pipes .8, 9.

The pipe 77 .isprovided with a valve controlled branch 81' for supplyingsurplus air from pipe 7 7 to tank 24.. The valve in branch 81 whenclosed shuts-E. tank 24 to pipe 77.

The valve in the branch 81 is closed during the operation of the device.A pipe nipple or branch 82 is common to the pipes 32, 3-7 and saidnipple or branch merges. into pipes 32,

I 37, andopens into-the reservoir or tank5.

and 17 towards the inner ends of the receivers and outer ends of thecontainers. When compressed air is belng supplied to the receiver 1 itis being discharged from the receiver 2.'

. The discharge of compressed air-from the receiver 2 is had by thefluid operating on the piston 17. The oil or fluidonly operates againstthe pistons" 13, 17 for shifting them. to the inner ends of thecontainers, which in turn will shift thepistons 12, 16 to the outer endsof the receivers. The air from the compressor 7 is supplied to thereceiver 1 through,

pipe 9 and port 68 when the latter registers with p1pef30 and the air isdischarged from receiver 1 through pipe 30 when the latter registerswith pocket 71. During the foregoing operation the pipe 25 is closed byvalve,

26. The air from the compressor 7 is sup plied to the receiver 2 throughpipe 8 and,

port 69 when the latter registers with pipe 31 and the air is dischargedfrom receiver 2 through pipe 31 when the latter registers with pocket 72. During the operation stated with respect to the receiver 2 the valve28 is closed.' Dunn the o eration stated with res ect to the receivers 1and 2 the valve in the pipe 31 is closed.

compressed air therefrom forthe purpose of supplying compressed air tooperate a machine or other device, the piston 16 is being moved towardsthe inner end of the receiver 2 whereby piston 17 moves towards theinner end of container 4 at which time piston 54 will be moved towardsthe outer end of cylinder 56 carrying the piston rod 48 therewith andshifting the valve 40 to open position so that] the oil from thereceiver 4 can be forced into the reservoir or tank 5 by the action ofpiston 17.

eration of the pump 33. The eccentric 44 will operate the pump 33 whenpiston '12 moves towards the outer end of the receiver 1 and operatespump 34 when piston 16 moves towards the outer end of receiver 2. Theop-' I eration of the pump 34 Wlll not be had during the shift of thepiston 16 towards the inner end of the receiver 2, nor will the pump 33:

be operated on the shift of piston 12 towards the inner end of receiver1.

-When piston 16' shifts towards the inner end of-the receiver2-piston17-is carried towards the outer end of'the container. 4 andforces the oil or fluid to the reservoir. When piston 12 is operated todischarge airgfrom the receiver 1 piston 53 will be moved to theposition shown in Figure 1, under such conditions closing the valve .39and arresting any further supply of liquid or oil into the container 3.The pump 33 operating on the liquid willprovide for the forcing ofpistons 13 and 12 in a manner wherebythe former will be shifted towardsthe inner end of the container 3 and the latter will be shifted towardsthe outer end of receiver 4. The pistons'53, -54 alternately operate toshift the valvular element 67 in a clockwise and an anti-clock wvisedirection to provide fora substantially continuous dischargeof thereceiver. I s 1 By'this arrangement when receiver 2 is taking inair,'receiver 1 is having the air 8X pelled therefrom and when receiver1 is takcompressed air from .ing'in 1air,'receiver 2 is having the airexpelled therefrom. The pistons ,53 and 54 not only function to providefor the shift of the lever arm 45 but also for v alternatelyoperatingthe rods 50, 5 2 in opposite directions-and alternately openand closethe valves 39, 40.

The tank 24 is provided witha pressure release valve 82. The valves 26and 28 are check valves, The-pipes 36 and, 81 may be termed power linesfor transmitting compressed air to the motor or other device to beoperatedby compressed air supplied through themedium of the controllingvalve mechanism 29, the compressor andreceivers 1, 2 .in'connection withthe containers 3, 4 and l/Vhen piston 12 is being moved towards" theouter end of the receiver 1 to discharge,

theother elements of the apparatus.

The construction and arrangement ofthe fllQVlCG provides for theregulatmgand equalmatically controlled for alternately deliver ing theapplication of compressed air for [driving purposes from tworeceiversand by arrangement the delivery is not intermittent but continuous,therefore, 1t 1s lin'gdevicefor thepurpose set forth and .in accordancewith this invention can bereadily understood, and .7 although thepreferred embodiment ofthe invention isas illustrated and described, yetitisto be understood that changes inthe details of'construction can behad which fall within the scope of the in vention as claimed. 2

1. In acontrolling'device for the purpose set forth, the combinationofjapair of compressed air receiver's, an air expelling ele mentoperating in each receiver, fluid pressure operated means foralternately operatelements to alterna tel y' expel the ,tliought themany advantages of a controlcompressed air from said receivers, fluidpressure operated means common to said receivers to alternately controlthe intake of compressed air to one and the discharge of compressed airfrom the other, said, controlling means provided with a common outletfor compressed air expelled from the receivers.

2. In a controlling device for the purpose set forth, the combination ofa pair of compressed air receivers, an air expelling element operatingin each receiver, a pair of fluid containers, a fluid operated elementoperating in each container and connected to an air expellingelement,flui dcontrolled pressure applying means providing forthe alternateoperation of the said fluid operated elements therebyalternatelyoperating the air expelling elements to alternately expel the compressedair from said receivers, and fluid operated means common to saidreceivers for alternately controlling the intake of compressed air toone and the discharge of compressed air from the other and provided witha common outlet for the compressed air expelled from the receivers.

3. In a controlling device for the purpose "set forth, the combinationof a pair of compressed air receivers, a pneumatically and hydraulicallyoperated expelling element operating in each receiver, means foralternately operating said elements pneumatically and hydraulically toalternately expel comvide for the alternate intake and discharge ofcompressed air to and from each receiver.

4. In a controlling device for the purpose set forth, the combination ofa pair of compressed air receivers, a pair of liquid containers, anexpelling element operating in each receiver,'a hydraulically operatedelement operating in each container and connected to an expellingelement, means for alternately controllingthe operation of saidhydraulically operated elements, a controlling valve mechanism common tosaid receivers for alternatelycontrolling the intake of compressed airfrom one and the discharge of compressed air from the other whereby ontheintake of the-compressed air to 'a receiver theexpel'ling elementtherein will-be shifted in a non-expelling direction and carrying,

the hydraulically operated 'elementtherewith, and hydraulic means foralternately operating said controlling valve mechanism, andmean's'c'oacting with said controlling meansto provide a common outlet for thecompressed air expelled from said receivers.

5. In a controlling device for the purpose set forth, the combination ofapair of compressed air receivers, an air expelling element operating ineach receiver, a liquid pressure operated means for alternatelyoperating said elements to alternately expel the compressed air vfromsaid receivers, a controlling valve mechanism common to said receiversto alternately control the intake of compressed air to one and thedischarge of compressed air from the other, and hydraulically operatedmeans for controlling the operation of said mechanism to provide foralternately controlling the intake of compressed air to one and thedischarge of compressed air from the other receiver, and means coactingwith said controlling valve mechanism to provide a common outlet for thecompressed air expelled from said receivers.

In testimony whereof, we afiix our signatures hereto.

THOMAS MCLAUGHLIN. PERRY J. STONE.

